Meet Uncle Hugo - RPLOG
Participants
Date
27/8/478
Log
A dark and stormy afternoon. Well, late afternoon, anyway. Certainly not a dark and stormy night. This small, well kept dock is as protected from the wind and the rain as any can be, but the rain pours down hard. A sleek vessel marked, The Lion's Share has only just arrived and is being lashed to the docks while a number of beings stand on deck, swathed in oil cloth to keep the deluge off as thunder cracks in the distance.
A smile adorns Katrina's lips as she stands by the waterside, her tail swaying lazily behind her. Besides her stands a small-clanned ocelot, upon whose shoulder her hand currently rests.
Katrina herself is fully dressed up, expensive staff and all, with a golden mask concealing her visage.
Terry stands by Katrina. He's wearing a rather smart-looking suit, which looks almost comically cute on his small frame. His tail flits side to side with curiosity as they wait. He brings one hand up to shield his eyes as he admires it.
As the sleek ship pulls tight to the dock, a gangplank is quickly brought out and connected to the dock allowing a large, suited figure to descend, an attendant chasing after with a large umbrella. The white lion stops as he leaves the gangplank behind and takes a long, deep breath. "Ah," Hugo sighs, his voice deep and his words carefully articulated, "It has been a very, very long time since I have set foot in Firmament." He leans on an ornate cane, not unlike Katrina's and has his inordinately long tail draped over one arm, the snow white tuft swaying as he walks.
A smile, and a gesture, as Kat offers an inviting wave with the hand that was only just on Terry's shoulder. Her own tail flicks lightly behind her, and she taps her staff on the ground twice, the metal endcap giving a resounding clang, intent on drawing the lion's attention. "Uncle Hugo! A pleasure as always, I presume?" she asks with a smile, hidden behind her mask...
Terry looks at the approaching lion with unconcealed admiration, his jaw briefly going agape before he becomes aware of it and recomposes himself. He clears his throat, but doesn't speak up, afraid to offend by speaking before being given leave to do so.
The well dressed lion, turns when he hears his name. "Kitten!" he says in a basso rumble, "It has been to long! Come here! Let your uncle get a look at you!" The snowy behemoth walks over, his own cane tapping lightly on the wooden planks of the dock. He reaches out a thick paw and gently lifts her mask from her face, just enough to get a look, but not letting Terry see the face beneath. "Ahh," he says, "You are a vision as always, my dear." He finally notices Terry. "And who is this?" he asks.
Katrina sighs and shakes her head. "Uncle Hugo, you know the rules. There will be consequences," the she-cat notes as her paw moves to right her mask again, before gesturing at Hugo. "Terry, meet Uncle Hugo. Hugo, Terry. Our newest... Recruit... Should he do well, of course."
Terry looks up at the lion, smiling politely at him. He had averted his eyes when he saw Katrina's mask be lifted, lest he catch a glance on accident. He clears his throat again then raises his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir!" His tail flits excitedly. The little ocelot seems quite happy to be meeting someone new.
"It is always worth it to see my niece's pretty face," the white lion says with a wink, "Besides, who's going to punish me?" He turns his golden-eyed attention on Terry and takes the ocelot's hand in an arm-enveloping, crushing grip. "Call me Uncle Hugo, Terry," he says, "We are all family here, after all."
A smile, a chuckle, and another shake of the head. "You know who, Uncle Hugo," the she-cat notes, before gesturing a little down the street, to a small, wooden bench. "Care to sit and regale us with the tales of your... Exploits? Or would you prefer returning to your room, first?" the feline offers, looking towards Terry with a small chuckle. "You really need to tone your enthousiasm down a tad, Terry. Can't have you knocking over vases with your tail later on."
Terry wiggles briefly as his forearm and hand are squeezed by the lion, but doesn't protest. He smiles sheepishly up at him. "I will Sir. I mean.. uhm.. Uncle Hugo." He looks at Katrina and nods, visibly concentrating to stop his tail flitting about like mad. "Yes 'maam, I will try." He returns his attention to the lion, still seeming fascinated by him.
Hugo frowns a little bit. "Yes, I do know, Katrina," he says, "Do not worry, I am as loyal as anyone to the cause and the family, but sometimes I find that I am chafed by the rules of the head of the household." He shrugs his broad shoulders then waves a hand to his valet, who has fallen behind now that the rain has stopped. "I think you should show me to my accomodations, Neice," he says, "It has been a very long journey, and I do not often tell stories, if you know what I am saying."
Katrina smiles and gestures down the road. "Of course. Still, protocol is protocol, Uncle. And you know why it's there... We are the Lady's main line of defense," she notes, watching Terry for a moment, before continuing her stride. "We have made sure to keep your room in a proper state, of course," she notes as the trio moves towards a small, but certainly respectable house in the castle district.
Terry follows along the two others, peering about cautiously as they walk across the city's streets towards the castle district. He peers up at 'Uncle Hugo' with curiosity, noting his mannerisms and posture. The small feline subconsciously tries to mimic his stride.
Hugo strides easily along, his dragon-topped cane tapping lightly on the cobbles of the streets and his long tail swaying gently in the crook of his arm as his valet hurries to keep up. "Did our secretive Lady tell you what she wanted?" he asks Katrina, "I have not been back in this town for nearly ten years and now she sends me a summons?" He shakes his head, tossing that big, snow white mane. "You will have to forgive me if I am a little displeased by being pulled away from my numerous projects overseas."
"Not yet. Besides, there is no reason to talk about such matters in front of... Outsiders," she notes, eyes glancing at the valet under her mask, then to Terry. A few more streets, and the she-cat tosses a key Terry's way. "The honors, please, Terry."
Terry snatches the key out of the air, smiling up at Katrina. "Yes 'maam!" The ocelot hurries his stride to reach the door first, unlocking the door and opening it for the other beings. He stands by the door, smiling up at the two and gesturing for them to enter.
Hugo steps over the threshold and looks around at the tastefully decorated home. "It looks almost the same as when I left it," he says, running a finger along a bit of molding and turning it up to find no dust on his white finger, "And you have cleaned everything in preparation for my arrival. I am very pleased, Kitten." He turns back to the door and hands a few coins over to the valet and takes hold of his large, heavy trunks, dismissing the exhausted being before dragging his things inside. "Do not tell me that you have kept the family home all this time?" he says looking around. The small entryway branches off into a dining room and an open salon complete with several large, comfortable chairs and a lovely piano-forte. Presumably there is a kitchen somewhere, though it is probably beneath stairs, a flight of which leads to an upper gallery with a number of doors branching off.
"Of course we keep it tidy... We had to replace the chandelier, though," the she-cat notes with a shake of her head. "Though I'm sure you'll like the new one even better," she explains with a smile, before shaking her head. "Natasha has spent her time here, lately. Slept in the primary guestroom, of course... Though we did make sure it holds the same appeal as the Master bedroom, of course... Have to keep up appearances.
Terry paces around the manor, trying to make himself small and unobtrusive, and not touching anything for fear of breaking something. He notices a small passage, well concealed passage and peers inside. It sems to be some kind of scullery passage leading to the kitchen below, letting servants move about without being seen or disturbing the owners and guests. How cunning!
"And how is our little Natasha?" Hugo asks, leaving his trunks by the door and hanging his hat on a conveniently placed rack, "I trust that she has been busy? What about that young man of hers? The Bray boy?"
"Unsure... All I can say is that he's an ass... A resourceful, useful ass, but an ass either way," the she-cat rumbles, tail flicking lightly. "That said... I do expect some tales of your travels, Uncle," the she-cat notes with a smile, a gesture for the sofa.
Terry returns from peeking inside the scullery. He makes his way to the main hall, and out into the room Hugo and Katrina are in. He tries to remain unobtrusive for now, but available in case he's needed for any reason. He seems particularly fascinated with how.. opulent everything is. Certainly several steps up from his usual accomodation.
Hugo follows Katrina's lead and eases himself onto a sofa with a grunt, leaning back and resting his arm along the high back. "What would you like to hear about, niece mine?" he asks, "I could tell you about my last year training your cousin Vlad in Snowhame. He is very entertaining for such a stupid boy."
Katrina chuckles, before shaking her head. "You already told me. And Vlad works with us, nowadays... Didn't you mention your exploits fighting pirates once?" the she-cat questions, before looking to Terry. "Unless little Terry has any particular ideas about tales he'd like to hear?"
Terry perks up on hearing his name, the ocelot pacing forward to join the two other beings. He considers Katrina's question, then replis. "Fighting pirates sounds like quite the feat 'maam." He says, then smiles at Hugo. "But perhaps Sir.. uh.. Uncle Hugo should choose. I'm certain he has many great stories to tell, and I'd love to hear them!"
Hugo crosses one leg over the other and leans back. "You do not, by chance, have some of those old cigars and brandy that I like so well?" he asks Katrina, "They would certainly make stories flow all the more smoothly." The line strokes his majestic mane thoughtfully. "It is true, I spent a few years tracking down pirates for His Majesty's navy," he says, "I did not like the sailing so much, but I have always been very good in a fight. And I confess to disliking the Lockedjaw's anyway, so it was always a pleasure to tie one of the belly draggers to their own prow as a figurehead."
Katrina smiles and stands, moving along towards one of the cabinets, her tail swaying, opening the door, and retrieving a bottle, two glasses glass, and a cigar. "We arranged for them, of course. Do continue," she rumbles with a smile, a soft purr as she pulls out a wineglass and a bottle of wine as well. "Oh, and teach the boy how to drink with decorum, if you would?"
Terry listens to the beginning of the story with fascination. He blinks, looking over at Katrina as she returns with the bottle and glasses. "Teach me, 'maam?" The question was somewhat pointless, but it was genuinely surprising for him. He eyes the bottle. "I.. I don't know if I should, 'maam, that looks very expensive."
Hugo grins and his eyes light up when Katrina produces the luxuries he asked for. "Incredibly expensive, Terry," he says, "The contents of that bottle are worth more than all the cargo in a Shralestan spice galley. And we are going to drink it." He waves Terry to a seat and sits forward in his chair to accept the drink from Katrina, and then to pour two tiny servings of the brandy into the waiting glasses. "This particular drink is as potent as it is pricey," he warns, "Only sip, do not gulp." The lion takes his own advice and sips at the amber beverage, then sighs happily before taking up the cigar. "Do either of you have a match?" he asks.
A smile, a flick of the ears, and a shake of the head. "Don't worry. If that's not your drink, there's several others to try... But for now, enjoy Uncle Hugo's story... And the contents of his cellar," the she-cat jokes with a tailflick, before shaking her head. "No matches on me."
Terry swallows dryly as he watches the drink being poured. Hugo just described more currency than he would ever be able to imagine, all contained in that bottle. He perks up at Hugo's request for a match, and glances at Katrina as she replies. "I found the scullery into the kitchen, 'maam, there must be matches there we can use." He turns to Hugo and smiles. "Excuse me Uncle Hugo, I'll be right back with your matches." He turns around, his tail flitting happily as he walks to the other side of the room, then vanishes into the cleverly concealed service passage.
Hugo watches Terry go, a bit of a frown on his face. "He is eager," the lion says, "Will you be keeping him? He seems like the sneaky kind." He sips from his glass and looks after the ocelot. "Cute, though. Have you introduced him to the family?"
"You are the first. And yes, I intend to keep him... Though I'd like him versed in the various fields. Natasha's Ass is teaching him to kill. You may've heard about the king's outrage at his game being poached two weeks ago?" she offers with a smile, before shaking her head. "We'll see where his training leads. And he still needs someone to show him how to behave in high society... Though I've already taken the liberty of starting his dance-lessons."
Terry has no trouble finding the matches in the kitchen, right next to the very large stove that dominates the room. He takes the opportunity to look around, the attentive ocelot trying his best to be aware of his surroundings as he was taught. He doubles back towards the sitting room, once again appearing out of the scullary passage with the box of matches in hand. He places them on the table next to Hugo. "Here you go Uncle Hugo." He says with a smile before taking his seat again. He eyes Hugo's glass and retrieves his own from the table, but does not sip at it just yet.
Hugo accepts the little box of matches from Terry. "Thank you, Terry," he says, carefully lighting his cigar, running a lit match back and forth under the thing until he gets it smoldering. The lion sighs, thick, scented smoke pouring from his lips. "Now," he says, "The first lesson you need to learn, Terry. . ." his eyes flick toward Katrina, the question evident in his look, he leaves the blank there and moves on, "The first thing a gentleman needs to know, is that there IS no kitchen." He sips at his drink and waits expectantly for Terry to try his own.
"What? If he's going to blend in with the rich and famous, he's going to need to be able to dance. And he'll need to know when to snatch a purse in the middle of the motions, or how to remove a ring from the hand he kisses without being noticed," she notes with a smile on her lips.
Terry blinks, the ocelot going through somewhat of a rollercoaster of emotions as he goes from doing something he thought was correct, to being taught yet another lesson of high society that he simply was not aware of. He nods slowly. "Yes Sir." He brings his drink up to his lips, trying to mimic Hugo's motions as he has his first taste of alcohol. Predictably, the taste burns down his tongue and throat, getting him to cough despite the liquor's otherwise exquisite taste.
Hugo laughs, both at Terry and at Katrina. "Ah the naivete of youth!" he chuckles, "Don't worry boy, it is a bit of an acquired taste." He shakes his mane and looks at Katrina. "Kitten," he says fondly, "You have always been so good at being sneaky, you have never quite managed to be subtle. The goal is not to steal the jewels and run away, but to convince them to give you the jewels freely and that it was their idea in the first place." He looks back at Terry. "You did nothing wrong," he says, "But remember, a gentleman expects and deserves to be served. It is no good having people expect you to do for yourself. You are bigger than that." He swirls the brandy around in his glass and smells it. "Now," he says, "Try another sip, taste it this time. The second is always easier than the first."
Katrina smiles and shakes her head. "You know full well that I'm capable of charming my marks just as well... But there's nothing like the thrill of a proper heist," she rumbles with a smile on her lips, a flick on her tail. "Besides, perhaps, the look on my mark's face when they realize they've been had."
Terry nods quickly at Hugo's words. "Yes Uncle Hugo, I'll remember that." He turns his attention to Katrina, smiling at her mention of charming. He certainly remembers his lesson in that regard. He takes another sip of his drink, obeying the lion's request of trying to taste it. It still burns in his mouth, but by keeping it there for a second he's able to start enjoying the drink's actual flavor. His tailtip flits happily.
"To each his own, my lovely niece," he says, "But mine is a gentleman's game." He takes a long drag on his cigar and hold it for a long moment before blowing out a plume of strongly scented smoke that floats at about head height. "No more lessons today," he says, "I will tell you about the time I seduced a Shralestan sheik into giving me his family's prized jewels!" The burly lion goes on to pour more brandy for himself and the new LongTail protege as he regales the pair with stories of distant lands and wild exploits.
Katrina smiles and sips her own drink quietly, her tail swaying lazily behind her. "This one must be new then, hmm? I don't recall you having a story like that the last time you visited," she rumbles with a flick of her ears, looking back to Terry with a smile.
Terry takes another quiet sip from his drink, wincing as it burns down his throat. He still tries to keep a straight face, and both the other beings would easily be able to observe he's trying to emulate Hugo's mannerisms, sitting in the same way he does, holding his glass with the same grip. He smiles at Katrina. "I'd like to hear the story, if that's okay." He coughs. "It sounds quite fascinating!"
